25 years of FarRail Tours

&

Farewell to the Rosental Railway

Austria 17/10 – 18/10/2025

FarRail Tours was launched a quarter of a century ago! Its first trip went to southern China and took place in November 2000. This trip to China was the start of a farewell journey that continues to this day. On many lines, we were still able to experience steam locomotives in operation. On many occasions the fires under the boilers were extinguished shortly after our visits. This continued in all parts of the world, including Europe. And another fantastic railway line is to be closed for good soon: the viaduct section of the Rosentalbahn in Austria. The permit to run over the viaducts expired last year, but a final exemption has now been granted. After that, renovation costs of around 5 million euros will have to be raised for the viaducts, which no one can afford.

So, on our 25th anniversary, we are also saying goodbye to a railway line with a steam train.

The Rosentalbahn is flanked by the Karawanken mountains, which required many engineering structures such as high bridges and, on the section we travel on, a tunnel. This means that the railway line also offers numerous great photo opportunities.

The starting point is Weizelsdorf station on 17 October 2025 at 9 a.m. On 18 October 2025, we will say goodbye at Klagenfurt station at around 1.30 p.m. and at Klagenfurt airport at around 1.50 p.m. If you wish, you can also be picked up from Klagenfurt station at around 9.30 p.m. on 16 October and then stay overnight at our hotel.

On both days, we will travel from Weizelsdorf to the tunnel at the Rosenbach viaduct with the 98-year-old 93.1332 with Giesel flat ejector, using two different train compositions. We will travel in passenger carriages or the guard’s van on the train.

The notes for the Austria trip, which can be found here, apply.

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Price

Those who do not wish to stay at the hotel, attend the evening event or travel on the charter bus can participate in the event for 770 euros.

Those who have participated in ten FarRail Tours trips as full-paying participants in the last 25 years will receive a 10% discount, those who have participated in 20 trips as full-paying participants will receive a 20% discount, and so on... and for 50 trips (yes, that's possible too!), there is a 50% discount on the anniversary event.

The price includes:

• Bus transfer by charter bus from the hotel in Ferlach to Klagenfurt (train station/airport)
• Hotel on 17 October 2025
• Evening event and dinner on 17 October and breakfast on 18 October 2025
• English-speaking tour guide
• Travelling on the train

The price does not include:

• Travel to Weizelsdorf and return journey from Klagenfurt
• Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry service, etc.
• Tips for train staff, bus drivers, etc. (please allow approx. 15 euros per person)